Cities / Doha / Arab International Academy
Arab International Academy
Bilingual IB school in Al Sadd running English and Arabic instruction from Preschool through Grade 12, with French also taught. CIS member and NEASC-affiliated, with a maximum class size of 25 and 42-plus nationalities represented across around 700 students.
In brief
An IB continuum school built around a strong Arabic-language identity, popular with Arab and bicultural families who want a serious Arabic programme without giving up the IB pathway.
AIA opened in Doha in 2016 and is authorised across PYP, MYP, DP and CP, with CIS and NEASC accreditation. Around 700 students aged 3 to 18. There is now a second campus in Lusail. Daily Arabic teaching is rated by families as substantially stronger than at most international schools in Qatar.
Parents value the warmth of staff and the academic stretch in maths and sciences under the IB. Several families describe noticeable academic and personal growth after switching from other Doha schools.
Two consistent gripes. English-track classes are mixed in level, and families with stronger English backgrounds say their children are sometimes held back by uneven peer proficiency. Communication from administration is the other one, with families learning about school-level issues from each other before hearing from the school.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool / KG1 / KG2 | 3 | Annual | QAR 35,296 |
| Grade 1 - Grade 6 | 6 | Annual | QAR 41,776 |
| Grade 7 - Grade 9 | 12 | Annual | QAR 47,488 |
| Grade 10 - Grade 12 | 15 | Annual | QAR 54,465 |
| Application fee (non-refundable) | One-time | QAR 500 | |
| Enrollment / seat reservation | One-time | QAR 2,000 |
Reviews
- IB World School in Doha running PYP, MYP and DP, founded 2016 under Qatari ownership and chaired by an adviser to the Amiri Diwan. Sits inside the Arabic-medium-aware international set, with both English and Arabic instruction and a French option.
- forum threads in r/qatar treat AIA as a credible IB pick within the local-school budget envelope, often mentioned alongside International School of Choueifat for grade-10-and-up enquiries. One parent said the IB system is "rigorous and prepares your kids for university."
- One r/qatar comment said AIA runs a "rigorous IB system" but flagged that extracurriculars may be lighter than at the larger Western international schools, while noting this may have changed.
- International School Advisor aggregates six parent ratings to. Positive feedback emphasises the IB programme, professional teaching staff and strong sports facilities. Specific Arabic, KG and Year 3 teachers are named warmly.
- The recurring caveat is admission consistency. One parent said the school "promised a spot for my 5-year-old" and then rejected the child for "developmental" reasons, with sibling admission policy described as inconsistent. A live concern is during the application process.
- The school does not run a bus or transport service. Multiple forum threads ask about how families solve the school-run problem, which is a real day-to-day factor in Doha.
Head of school
Mr. Mahmoud Amra
Mahmoud Amra is the Superintendent of Arab International Academy. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics from Leipzig University in Germany and a Master’s degree in Education from Birzeit University in Palestine. With extensive experience teaching Physics and Mathematics at both university and school levels, he transitioned into leadership and consultancy roles. Mr. Amra has served on various national committees, such as the Committee for Professional Standards for Teachers and Principals in Palestine, and has expertise in training educators on teaching strategies and distance learning.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 02
Academic results
- IBDP cohort 5th class graduated 2025